Law enforcement patrols throughout California are always on high alert for drivers who may be driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both. DUI collisions have led to thousands of avoidable deaths and law enforcement agencies go to great lengths to enforce California’s DUI laws.

Enhanced DUI Patrols

Enhanced DUI patrols are often publicized through television and radio advertisements; and organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers ("MADD") have made it their mission to increase public awareness of the dangers of impaired driving. With all of the attention paid to enforcing DUI laws, many drivers want to know at what time they are most likely to be pulled over for DUI.

During Normal Traffic Stops

A normal traffic stop occurring at any time of the day can lead to a DUI arrest if, after the stop, the officer forms a reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement officers stop vehicles at all hours of the day to address any observed violations, which can range from offenses such as speeding or improper lane changes to equipment violations such as burned out brake lights or improper window tints.

Late at Night After Bars Close

The law requires that the officer have reasonable or probable cause that the driver is violating the law before he or she can pull the driver over. This means that an officer cannot simply pull any vehicle over because of the time of night or due to the fact that the car is seen exiting the parking lot of a bar or nightclub. That being said, law enforcement officers understand that most DUI incidents occur at night as people are heading home from restaurants, bars, nightclubs and parties. As a result, officers are much more likely to stop a vehicle for a minor infraction in order to justify a DUI investigation when it is late at night, especially right when bars are closing.

Weekends & Holidays

While impaired drivers can be stopped at any time, the hours between 10:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M. are when officers are on highest alert for DUI drivers. This is especially true on weekends and holidays, when there are likely to be more impaired driving incidents. Often, officers will wait outside of popular bars or nightclubs or around sporting events in order to stop drivers for any minor traffic violation that is observed. If the officer suspects that the driver is intoxicated, he or she will conduct a series of field sobriety tests on the driver and may request a breath sample using a Preliminary Alcohol Screening ("PAS") device. If found to be over the legal limit (0.08 percent BAC), the driver could be arrested for DUI and may face both criminal charges and a driver's license suspension.

DUI Checkpoints

In California, law enforcement agencies are permitted to conduct DUI checkpoint operations in which all drivers passing through the checkpoint can be briefly investigated for DUI. These checkpoints are typically held on weekends and holidays during the evening hours when DUI incidents occur at a higher rate than usual. It is important to remember that a person can be stopped and arrested for DUI at any time of the day. If you are too intoxicated to drive, it is always a better idea to find an alternative to driving rather than risk being arrested and charged with DUI.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on
their profile in addition to the information we collect from state
bar associations and other organizations that license legal
professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo
with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do
not.

What determines Avvo Rating?

Experience & background

Years licensed, work experience, education

Legal community recognition

Peer endorsements, associations, awards

Legal thought leadership

Publications, speaking engagements

Discipline

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in .

Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.